Hello, I was diagnoised in January 2004 with AVN. I had three doctors tell me to getmy shoulder replaced or a core decompression. I had a replacement of my shoulder in June 2004. I feel now that was not a good choice because I have been in a lot of pain since the surgery and now my arm does not move over my head. I cannot get my arm to move or stretch to reach objects or do normal things like comb my hair. My question is how long does it take for a replacement to heal? I also wanted to know if anyone experience having a lot of scar tissue after the surgery. What causes this and what do one do to move my arm again. I saw my doctor on the 5th of this month and he told me that I have a lot of scar tissue builded up and now I need to get another replacement and remove the scar tissue. I want to know if the second replacement works by removing the scar tissue and will I be able to move my arm again. I was able to use my arm before the replacement and now, I cannot use my arm normally. I also have MS (Multiple Sclerosis) since 1997, but I am okay with all of my body function. I can walk, talk, move just like anyone else, but I have trouble only with balance and my sight in my right eye. My doctor is now saying that it could be my MS, but my MS doctor is stating that it is not the MS. I saw another doctor that did not do the surgery and he stated that it is not the MS, but a lot of scar tissue. I just really want to know if I am going to heal from this procedure. I am so scared and I have been in a lot of pain since the surgery. Can someone help me,please?

-- Kimberley R. McCoy (Kimberley.R.McCoy@ssa.gov), October 07, 2004

Answers

my mother had shoulder replacement back in sept. due to a fall. she is 79. she has a great deal of scar tissue and is experiencing the same things you have mentioned. but her problem began right after surgery when she was so sick that she was unable to begin therapy right away. so the scar tissue has built up. her dr. wants to put her into a deep sleep and "give her 6 weeks of therapy in 5 minutes" as he put it. he will move the arm as it should move and break up and release the scar tissue. and begin therapy immediately after that to prevent the same thing from happening. from what i have learned through this is that therapy, at home is just as important as from the hospital. my mom has not done that as she should. i'm hoping this will help. but remember that attitude and determination is half the battle! some pain is good pain and the dr.'s know that. also, about being scared.....the bible says in 2timothy 1:7 that we are not given the spirit of fear but one of power, love, and of a sound mind. fear is something that holds us back and holds us down. be brave and pray. for for guideance and guts! good luck have a blessed day angie

-- angie stallings (astallings@dot.state.nc.us), January 10, 2005.

Don't give up. After my surgery last year my shoulder was still frozen.It is now 8 months post opp and things are starting to work again. I still don't have real good range of motion but I can now put the dishes up on the top shelf and do things like tuck my pants in. I was going nowhere fast until I got active muscle release therapy.What it is , is breaking up scar tissue and working the defunct muscles to get them working again.This is pretty painfull, I was skeptical of the pain, it does hurt but works well.I have continued my weight traing and aerobics and actually today I have zero pain, nothing!Previous to the surgery I was on morphine for 15 months waiting for the actual surgery, I don't even use aspirin anymore. Just so you now I am only 44yrs old and have severe arthritis. If you have more direct questions email me. Mark Levert

-- Mark Levert (mlevert@prideinpersonnel.com), January 20, 2005.

I had my TSR done in 04/12/04 I thought that I made a mistake as well! The pain after the replacement was a lot worst. I have done 70 visits with PT and just in the past week I have been noticeing an inprovement. I was told that it could take up to one year for everything to heal and with good PT. I can almost raise my arm up with very little pain now. Ask me If I'll do the right shoulder and at this point in time NO. It is a long, hard and painful road as I was told and need a rest before setting done that road again.

-- Nancy Lombardi (nanlombardi@aol.com), February 04, 2005.